Children's Home run by Enhanced Young Persons Care Limited in Middlesbrough

Inadequate

There are serious and widespread failures that mean children and young

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The children’s home provision is inadequate because:

 The home is admitting young people whose needs exceed the experience and understanding of managers and staff.  The subsequent impact, on the existing group of young people, of those inappropriate admissions is not given due consideration. This results in an incompatible mix of young people, compounding their overall vulnerability and leading to an increased risk of going missing, child sexual exploitation and drug use.  Risk assessments are not working documents and the review of these assessments is ineffective.  Young people’s behaviour management and support plans are unwieldy and are not effectively reviewed, so progress is not identified.  The insufficient understanding and recognition by leaders and managers of how to address concerning behaviour effectively leads to young people being restrained unnecessarily.  Measures taken to keep some young people safe from the risks of self-harm are extremely restrictive. Young people are at times placed at increased risk

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The children’s home provision is inadequate because:

due to the mismanagement of traceable phones. Their safe access to social media is inconsistent.  Safeguarding policies and procedures require updating and linking to whistleblowing procedures.  Staff do not understand when not to ask young people leading questions when there are ongoing child protection enquiries and investigations.  The therapeutic approach, as outlined within the home’s statement of purpose, is not evident in practice. Young people’s needs are not routinely discussed within staff supervision, nor is reflective practice evident.  Monitoring of records, including restraints, missing logs and critical incidents is ineffective and inconsistent.

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The children’s home strengths

 Some young people are making good progress with their education.  Two young people are no longer going missing, significantly decreasing the risk of them being sexually exploited.  One young person moved on from the home in a planned way to supported accommodation. They are doing well and maintain contact with staff.  A young person’s readmission to the home was planned well following their discharge from a secure children’s home.  The home uses the services of a clinical psychologist who, along with staff, has helped two young people to re-establish contact with family members.  The home has a committed staff team who want to improve outcomes for young people.  There is a good range of activities available to young people, and staff take on board any additional requests made by young people to take part in additional pastimes.  Social workers rated the home highly. They said that they were kept well

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The children’s home strengths

informed by staff and received regular updates about young people.  A new member of staff described feeling well supported during their induction.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

5. In order to meet the engaging with the wider system standard, with particular reference to working with the police to establish a written information sharing protocol, contacting the looked after children’s nurse and the children’s GP regarding information about smoking cessation, and the establishment of a written procedure about how to raise concerns with the local authority when the home is not meeting the children’s needs as agreed, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff -

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(a) seek to involve each child’s placing authority effectively in the child’s care, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans;

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(b) seek to secure the input and services required to meet each child’s needs;

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(c) if the registered person considers, or staff consider, a placing authority’s or a relevant person’s performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each child’s needs are met in accordance with the child’s relevant plans; and

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Requirement Due date

(d) seek to develop and maintain effective professional relationships with such persons, bodies or organisations as the registered person considers appropriate, having regard to the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the children’s home is to provide care and accommodation. 1 June 2016

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* 6(1). In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard, with particular reference to ensuring that children’s residential plans, key worker sessions, staff supervisions and staff meetings demonstrate how individualised care is provided to each child in accordance with the home’s statement of purpose. Also, to ensure that children are not moved between bedrooms unnecessarily. That children receive care from staff who - 24 May 2016 (a) understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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(b) use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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(2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to –

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(a) understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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(i) understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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(ii) protect and promote each child’s welfare;

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(iii) treat each child with dignity and respect;

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(iv) provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background;

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(v) help each child to understand and manage the impact of any experience of abuse or neglect;

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(vi) help each child to develop resilience and skills that prepare the child to return home, to live in a new placement or to live independently as an adult;

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(vii) provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably;

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(viii) provide to children personal items that are appropriate for their age and understanding; and

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(ix) make decisions about the day-to-day arrangements for each child, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans, which give the child an appropriate degree of freedom and choice.

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7(1). In order to meet the children’s views, wishes and feelings standard, with particular reference to ensuring that when people 1 June 2016 raise any informal concerns, that these are recorded and responded to appropriately, and that children receive care from staff who -

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(a) develop positive relationships with them;

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(c) take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives.

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(2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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(iii) help each child to understand how the child’s views, wishes and feelings have been taken into account and give the child reasons for decisions in relation to the child;

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(iv) regularly consult children, and seek their feedback, about the quality of the home’s care.

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11(1). In order to meet the positive relationship standard, with particular reference to applying the home’s statement of purpose, that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on-

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(b) an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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(c) positive responses to other children and adults.

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(2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure -

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(v) communicate to each child expectations about the child’s behaviour and ensure that the child understands those expectations in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

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(vi) help each child to understand, in a way that is appropriate according to the child’s age and understanding, personal, sexual and social relationships, and how those relationships 1 June 2016 can be supportive or harmful;

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(vii) help each child to develop the understanding and skills to recognise or withdraw from a damaging, exploitative or harmful relationship;

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(x) are provided with supervision and support to enable them to understand and manage their own feelings and responses to the behaviour and emotions of children, and to help children to do the same.

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*12(1). In order to meet the protection of children standard, with particular reference to children being protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe, in particular, establish individualised easily understood risk assessments that make clear to staff what action to take to reduce the risks to each child. Review these as and when necessary, and at least six monthly, demonstrating how effectively the risk is managed. Ensure that any contracted maintenance staff used by the home have an up- to-date enhanced disclosure barring service check, and are not allowed unsupervised contact with children, the registered person must ensure that staff -

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(2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure —

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(i) assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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(ii) help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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(iii) have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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(iv) manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other;

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(v) understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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(vi) take effective action whenever there is a serious concern 24 May 2016 about a child’s welfare; and

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(vii) are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

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(b) that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm;

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(e) that the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policies is monitored regularly.

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13(1). In order to meet the leadership and management standard, with particular reference to making it clear to staff the roles and responsibilities of senior managers and leaders, so that staff know who to go to for advice and guidance and to whom they are accountable. In addition, that there are sufficient staff on duty at night to go out looking for a child if necessary. The registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that -

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(a) helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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(2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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(a) lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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(c) ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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(d) ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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(e) ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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(g) demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

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(i) research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and 1 June 2016 (ii) feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

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(h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home.

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14. In order to meet the care planning standard, with particular reference to ensuring that pre-admission assessments demonstrate due consideration about the impact of any child on existing children within the home, children must —

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(a) receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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(b) have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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(2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure -

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(a) that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose. 1 June 2016

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The registered person must compile, in relation to the children’s home, a statement (‘the statement of purpose’) which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1 (Regulation 16, Schedule 1(6),(14)(b)).

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In particular, how anyone, in addition to the child, can raise any concerns and how the therapeutic approach of the home is demonstrated in practice.

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6. Details of who to contact if a person has a complaint about the home and how that person can access the home’s complaints policy.

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14. Details of any healthcare or therapy provided, including:

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(b) information about how the effectiveness of any healthcare or therapy provided is measured, the evidence demonstrating its effectiveness and details of how the information or the evidence can be accessed. 1 June 2016 No measure of control or discipline which is excessive, unreasonable or contrary to paragraph (2) may be used in relation to any child.

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The following measures may not be used to discipline any child a child’s contact with parents, relatives or friends (Regulation 19(1),(2)(i)).

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In particular, not to infer any withdrawing of contact or activity as a means of behaviour management. 1 June 2016

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If the registered provider is a partnership, the partnership must ensure that one of the partners undertakes such continuing professional development as is necessary to ensure that the partner has the skills needed for carrying on the home.

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The registered manager must undertake such continuing professional development as is necessary to ensure that the registered manager has the skills needed for managing the home (Regulation 29(3),(4)).

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In particular, the registered person must ensure that the responsible individual and interim manager undertake child sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation and safeguarding training. 1 June 2016

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The registered person must ensure that all employees –

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(a) undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

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(b) receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience (Regulation 33(4)(a),(b)).

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In particular, that staff receive face-to-face training in child sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation, attachment and safeguarding training. 1 June 2016

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The registered person must prepare and implement which-

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is intended to safeguard children accommodated in the children’s home from abuse or neglect; and

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sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect.

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The registered person must prepare and implement a policy (‘the missing child policy’) setting out— 1 June 2016 the steps taken, and to be taken, to prevent children from being absent without permission; and

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the procedures to be followed, and the roles and responsibilities of persons working at the home, in relation to a child who is, or has been, so absent.

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Before implementing, or making an amendment which the registered person considers to be substantive to, the missing child policy, the registered person must—

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consult, and take into account the views of, each relevant person; and

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have regard to any relevant local authority or police protocols on missing children.

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(6) The registered person must keep under review and, as necessary, revise the home’s child protection policies (Regulation 34(1)(a),(b);(4)(a),(b);(6).

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In particular, that the policy includes the timescales for reporting a child missing to the police and all other appropriate parties including senior on-call staff; that also takes into account what to do when a child responds to any welfare checks when missing; that staff note what a child is last known to have been wearing prior to being missing; to ensure that all of the home’s child protection policies and procedures are reviewed and up to date and include a flowchart about what to do regarding any allegations and disclosures for the benefit of staff; and that procedures include contact details for the local authority designated officers. All child protection policies and procedures should make clear how these link to the home’s whistleblowing policies and procedures.

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* The registered person must prepare and implement a policy (‘the behaviour management policy’), in particular that makes clear to staff not to use jargon to describe children’s behaviour, which sets out—

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how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the children’s home; and

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the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home. 24 May 2016 The registered person must keep the behaviour management policy under review and, where appropriate, revise it.

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within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure

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a description of the measure and its duration

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details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (‘the authorised person’)

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has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure (Regulation 35(1)(a),(b);(2);(3)(a)(ii),(iv),(v),(vii);(b)(i),(ii),(c)

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The registered person must maintain records (‘case records’) for each child which—

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include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child;

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are signed and dated by the author of each entry (Regulation 36 (a),(b),(c)). 1 June 2016

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In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating— 1 June 2016 the quality of care provided for children;

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the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and

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any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children (Regulation 45(2)(a),(b),(c)). * These requirements are subject to a statutory requirement notice.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendations:

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Recommendations

 Staff should encourage children to share any concerns about their care or other matters as soon as they arise. Children must be able to take up issues or make a complaint with support and without any fear that this will result in any adverse consequences. Children must be aware of this procedure and be reminded of it as necessary. In particular, that children are informed about the outcome of any concern and whether if, in relation to any complaint, it has been substantiated or not. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 23, paragraph 4.13)    All children must have access to appropriate advocacy support, and, where possible, this should be provided by a person that the child chooses. Looked- after children are entitled to an independent advocate to advise them and ensure they have the support needed to express their views, wishes and feelings about their care and lives. (The Guide to the Quality Standards,

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Recommendations

 When a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority must provide an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. Homes should take account of information provided by such interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to protect each child. In particular, the home should contact local authorities, if necessary in writing, to enquire as to the outcome of any return home interviews and if there is any information that they need to be made aware of to ensure children’s safety and welfare. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 45, paragraph 9.30)

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Recommendations

 Contingency plans should be prepared in the event of a shortfall in staffing levels. If it is likely that there might only be one member of staff on duty at any time, the manager should make a formal assessment of the implications for children’s care, including any likely risks. This assessment should be recorded and available for inspection by Ofsted and placing authorities. ((The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 34, paragraph 10.18)

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Recommendations

 A record of supervision should be kept for staff, including the manager. The record should provide evidence that supervision is being delivered in line with regulation 33(4)(b). (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 61, paragraph 13.3) 

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Recommendations

 It is good practice for a note of the content and/or outcomes of supervision sessions to be kept, and to ensure that both the person giving the supervision and the staff member have a copy of the record. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 61, paragraph 13.4)

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Recommendations

 Children should be actively encouraged to read their records and to add further information to them. They should be regularly reminded of their rights to see information kept about them and be given information about how they might be supported to access their records in later life. In particular, the home should ensure that all information recorded by staff is written in a way that helps children, now and in the future, to gain an understanding about their experiences and circumstances while living within the home.(The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 62, paragraph 14.6)

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Information about this children’s home

The home may only provide care and accommodation for up to eight children and young people with emotional and or behavioural difficulties and mental disorders, excluding learning disabilities. The home is owned and operated by an independent provider.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

14 August 2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

26 February 2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Inadequate

This inspection was carried out earlier than planned as a result of serious concerns being alleged and brought to the attention of Ofsted. The inspection findings established that there are major shortfalls across all areas.

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Inadequate

Since the previous inspection 16 weeks ago, two young people have been transferred to a secure children’s home following two serious incidents. Two young people have been readmitted to the home after a stay in a secure unit. One of these has since been discharged following the home giving notice to end the placement and another young person from a secure hospital is now living at the home. The placing authority of another resident young person is also seeking secure accommodation. This level of instability raises concerns about young people’s compatibility, the homes care planning and their ability to meet the needs of young people with complex needs.

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Inadequate

Of the five young people living at the home, three have remained living there since the previous inspection. These young people have lived through a period of significant upheaval. These types of experiences create tension, increasing young people’s anxieties and leading to further challenging behaviour. The lack of proactive management makes young people feel unsafe, raises their anxieties and escalates difficult behaviours. Young people said, ‘If staff want you to do something, like when we were jumping in the puddle, they will threaten you with stopping contact or stopping taking you on drives out.’

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Inadequate

A lack of in-depth knowledge about the complexities of young people’s underlying needs result in stereotypical beliefs about young people’s behaviour. For example, a member of staff said, ‘It’s the nature of the young people that we work with, it is very difficult to manage the risk, it’s the nature of the home, as much as we try and manage it.’ This is a strong indicator of an overwhelmed and struggling staff team.

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Inadequate

There is not enough meaningful consideration given to young people’s support and developmental needs in line with their emotional functioning. This manifests in young people being out unsupported and unsupervised while spending their pocket money. For example, one unaccompanied young person given ‘free time’ to go shopping spent their money to buy a screwdriver. A member of staff said, ‘The young person was going to use it to remove the screws from their bedroom window.’ The same young person, on a second occasion, after misspending £20, pointed out to staff that they ‘should not have been given the money, as it was too much responsibility’. Placing young people in situations without the necessary structure and direct supervision from an adult increases the likelihood of their trying to stay safe in ways that often place them at greater risk.

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Inadequate

Nonetheless, it is clear that staff are committed and want to provide effective support to young people. In the main, young people also realise that staff are invested in wanting them to do well. As a result, relationships between some young people and staff are meaningful. This increases their motivation to take part in educational activities, leading to improved self-esteem. Some young people also take part in an enjoyable range of activities alongside their peers and staff. Helping young people in this way brings a host of benefits, aiding their overall emotional and social development and cementing trust between young people and staff. A member of staff said, ‘I am very proud of the work I have done with (Name). Of being consistent and if I say something, that I do it. I feel that they can talk to me.’

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Inadequate

Two young people have benefited from work with their families, leading to increased levels of contact. This aids young people’s sense of identity and provides them with additional sources of support, now and in the future. A member of staff said, ‘(Name’s) first visit went well. His family member has been ringing and they get to speak on a regular basis.’

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Inadequate

One young person left the home as part of a planned transition to supported accommodation. This young person is reportedly doing well and has remained in touch with staff. The staff continuing to be available to young people in this way increases the likelihood that young people will learn to cope in adulthood. A member of staff said of the young person, ‘At one time they could be very challenging. They were much more settled when they left.’

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Inadequate

A previous requirement has been met in that the format used to log any restraints of young people by staff has improved. However, completion of this record does not make clear what happened, nor is the effectiveness and any consequence of measures used sufficiently demonstrated. As there is no meaningful analysis of the underlying cause of young people’s behaviour, proactive strategies are not considered. This means that young people are likely to place themselves in situations where their behaviour will escalate and lead to a restraint. Upon seeing another young person being restrained in the community, young people said, ‘We felt sorry for them, as there was no need for it.’ Risk assessments are not robust working documents that aid ready understanding by staff in relation to keeping young people safe. These are unwieldy, as they are in effect a chronology, reflecting concerns and duplicating information. There is no

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Inadequate

mechanism to effectively review the records, nor do they readily link to behaviour support plans, failing to meet a previous recommendation. This deficit hampers effective risk management and undermines young people’s safety. A member of staff said, ‘Young people don’t get to see the risk assessments, because of the content. To see that or read that can be quite upsetting.’ This does not uphold young people’s right to see what is written about them and hampers shared working with young people about their needs.

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Inadequate

Young people raised serious concerns about the levels of restraint taking place and the attitudes of staff. Young people said, ‘If we are told that violence is not the answer, why are they restraining us?’ The management strongly refuted these concerns. Nonetheless, the designated officer for the local authority was contacted so that this could be further investigated.

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Inadequate

Young people are at risk of sexual exploitation. This is heightened due to staff having an insufficient understanding about the impact of sexual trauma and how some young people relate to their peers and others. For example, staff have allowed a group of vulnerable girls to go out unsupervised despite their knowledge that the girls speak to strangers and ask for cigarettes. When speaking about residents at the home, a member of staff said, ‘They were at high risk of child sexual exploitation. The problem was that their social workers were agreeing that they could have free time.’

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Inadequate

Staff have not provided accurate information to the police to track a young person via the phone, nor were they able to provide a description of what the young person was wearing. As a result, police responses to locate a young person at risk of serious child sexual exploitation were significantly hindered. The home’s procedural guidance does not make clear to staff the necessity of remaining vigilant about young people’s clothing in case they go missing. Lack of established systems and procedural guidance to ensure retention of this basic information places young people at increased risk of harm. The interim manager said, ‘We didn’t have a system but we do now.’

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Inadequate

While young people are now offered an interview when they return from being missing, the outcome of this is not clear. As a result, risk assessments do not take into account any additional information that may further reduce any risks. The home’s missing chronology proforma is not filled in. This hinders the identification of any pattern or themes that increase young people’s vulnerabilities.

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Inadequate

Staff are uncertain about when to report a young person missing and when to seek guidance from the on-call senior staff. This is because the home’s policies and procedures do not make this clear, resulting in unnecessary delay and increasing the risks to young people. When asked why staff did not report a missing young person earlier, a senior member of staff said, ‘I think that staff may have been thinking it can’t happen here.’ Staff are unclear when to report young people as missing to other safeguarding agencies. A member of staff said, ‘The difficulty is that if staff contact the young person by phone, you are not sure whether to report them missing as staff are in contact with them.’

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Inadequate

In relation to young people receiving high levels of supervision, a member of staff said, ‘One-to-one is often just for 16 hours but a lot of the incidents happen at night.’ The risk assessment for staff working alone at night does not take into account the procedures if a young person is missing. This means that there is sometimes an over-reliance on police to search for young people.

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Inadequate

The home does not operate a consistent and appropriate balance of supervision and oversight of some young people. This at times feels oppressive for some young people. Such is the level of concern about some young people’s behaviour that they receive 24-hour one-to-one supervision from staff and are not allowed out alone. While this is aimed at keeping young people safe from self-harm and being missing, this raises young people’s anxieties, which clearly does not aid their emotional well-being.

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Inadequate

The management of young people accessing social media is inconsistent. This increases the risks to young people accessing the internet. This lack of oversight from staff and the manager draws young people’s attention and increases the likelihood of impulsive behaviours that can quickly heighten their risk of sexual exploitation.

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Inadequate

The current and potential future needs of new admissions are not given due consideration in line with the needs of the existing residents. The home have progressed admissions for young people with similar identified vulnerabilities to existing residents. This can seriously compromise and destabilise the placement for existing young people with serious health and developmental needs. A senior member of staff said, ‘We are still waiting on a psychiatric report for (Name).’ A young person said, ‘(Name’s) room reeks of cannabis. It is strong when you pass his room. He had his window open for two hours trying to get the smell out.’ Lack of forethought about young people’s individual and overall needs causes tension, and increases the likelihood of young people acting out difficult feelings, and of placements breaking down.

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Inadequate

Some staff are unclear about their conduct during child protection and criminal investigations and ask young people leading questions. An unfortunate example of this was documented after a member of staff spoke to a young person following a serious criminal assault. This potentially damages the credibility of evidence and undermines young people’s rights as citizens. Realising that there had been an incorrect response when asked what to do in the event that a young person makes an allegation, a member of staff said, ‘I’ve dug myself a big hole there, saying that, haven’t I.’

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Inadequate

Concerns raised by a young person’s family have not been recorded in the home’s complaints log. As a result, the outcomes of these matters are unclear. This omission also undermines the accountability of the manager and staff. The young person’s complaints policy and procedure does not outline how to respond to informal concerns and issues that help young people to resolve matters quickly. The outcome of an additional complaint raised by a young person is also not clear. This undermines young people’s rights to know whether their concern has been substantiated or not, and if any action is required. The home’s statement of purpose does not clarify the complaints process This leaves complainants uncertain as how to proceed. A senior member of staff said, ‘It is in our procedures that complaints should be logged, I don’t know why it wasn’t.’

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Inadequate

While the home’s statement of purpose makes clear that visitors are vetted, staff were unable to confirm if a maintenance person who was having lunch in the young person’s dining room on the first day of the inspection had undergone the necessary checks.

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Inadequate

Safeguarding policies and procedures require overhaul to ensure that they are accurate, up to date and make clear to staff their responsibilities. These procedures also need to be clearly linked to the home’s whistleblowing policy and procedures. Uncertainty in responding to any matter affecting young people’s safety means that they are not being effectively protected.

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Inadequate

One young person was supplied with an e-cigarette by staff. Lack of consultation with healthcare professionals and relatives with parental responsibility prior to this disregards the rights of young people and their families. This action may also place the young person at increased risk.

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Inadequate

The previous registered manager has resigned from the position and now works as a consultant within the home An appropriately qualified interim manager is in post and is in the process of making an application to the regulator for registered manager status.

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Inadequate

Staff are uncertain about new management arrangements. Lack of clarity about any aspect of the home by staff raises anxieties and can lead to confusion. A member of staff said, ‘The real impact has been the senior management team. It is hard to work out the different roles now and who to go to speak to about issues.’

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Inadequate

The inexperience of leaders and managers in caring for young people who have been subjected to serious child sexual exploitation is clearly evident. There are some elements of practice that suggest an emerging institutional culture. For example, moving young people’s bedrooms so that they are closer to the staff office and intense levels of observation of young people. Inappropriate language is used by staff within documentation, such as, ‘young people accessing free time’, ‘displaying heightened behaviour’ and ‘talking young people down.’ This compromises young people’s individuality and their dignity. It also focuses on behaviour management rather than young people’s underlying trauma and their complex needs. This approach to vulnerable young people often increases their stress and anxiety, which leads to unsettled behaviour.

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Inadequate

Lack of recognition when placing authorities fail or compromise young people’s needs are not addressed in a timely manner. This is because priority is given to the views of social workers rather than to the home challenging decisions when there are concerns that young people’s wishes and feelings are not being considered. For example, when a young person’s school placement was delayed because of drift with the education and healthcare plan, and where a reduction in contact between a young person and a parent was made, these issues were not appropriately escalated. Failure to take the necessary action at such times disadvantages young people and compounds their difficulties.

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Inadequate

The frequency of supervision and staff meetings has declined as a result of staff and managers having to respond to significant incidents involving young people. This compromises safe care practice and staff welfare, as meaningful discussions about young people’s needs are ad hoc. Supervisions that have taken place do not demonstrate regular discussion of young people’s needs or of reflective practice. Records further identify concerns regarding medication and confidentiality. This means that staff lack the necessary support, significantly compromising the care that they provide to young people. The quality of supervision is not monitored. The interim manager is reliant on senior staff responsible for supervising others to raise any concerns. This approach does not make clear to staff what is the expected standard, and increases the likelihood of inconsistencies and issues being overlooked. A member of staff said, ‘The kids come first and it is difficult getting

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Inadequate

paperwork done. It is really, really hard as you spend all day with the kids and then have to find time slots for paperwork.’

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Inadequate

Effective monitoring systems are not in place. For example, restraint records and significant incidents are signed off despite there being glaring omissions. Some reviews of records are not carried out within the timescales required by legislation. This means that concerns with care practice issues are not addressed.

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Inadequate

Partnership working with the police, particularly about young people at risk of child sexual exploitation, is not used to best effect. As a result, there is a lack of understanding about how any known concerns relating to child sexual exploitation are passed on between police authorities. This means that leaders and managers cannot provide staff with the appropriate guidance or ensure that all necessary safeguards are in place. On the subject of the home’s response to concerns, and working with the police, an officer said, ‘I don’t think there is any underhandedness. However, I am concerned that staff don't know what to do, and it feels like they don’t really want us there.’

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Inadequate

The home’s statement of purpose now includes information about the therapeutic approach and the extent of clinical psychology input that the home offers. While this makes clear to stakeholders what services and intervention is available, it is not so clear how this is achieved and which therapeutic model is used. This makes it difficult to understand what staff do in practice to ensure that young people’s mental health needs are being met effectively. In addition, the document does not outline how the home supports young people with known drug dependency and self-harming behaviours. Nor is it clear whether staff receive specific training regarding these behaviours, or how staff training about attachment and trauma is applied in practice. This means that stakeholders do not have sufficient information about what the home does in practice to meet young people’s needs. Furthermore, the statement of purpose is not written in plain English throughout. The use of

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Inadequate

unnecessary jargon means that not everyone reading it will have a full understanding of the home’s ethos and functioning.

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Inadequate

Social workers spoke well of the care that staff provided and the progress that young people make. Communication about young people’s needs and regular updates contributed to this, as did staff’s attendance at care team meetings. On the progress that a young person has made, a social worker said, ‘I’ve seen a decline in her placing herself at risk. I have worked with other residential care homes and compared to others they keep me very well informed.’

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Inadequate

While there are aspects of effective partnership working with social care professionals, there is an over-reliance on seeking guidance and agreement from social workers about young people’s daily care. For instance, social workers are asked if young people can have ‘free time’ and about ‘supervised spends’. Speaking with the interim manager and staff, there is a perception that social workers have overriding responsibility for this type of decision-making. As not all young people are placed within their home area, this approach calls for every social worker to have a full understanding of young people’s daily experiences. This is a further indication of a lack of confidence and experience in taking appropriate responsibility for young people’s day-to-day welfare.

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Inadequate

New staff receive effective shadowing opportunities and they are instructed to read young people’s files as part of their induction. This means that they gain a useful understanding of young people’s histories. A new member of staff said, ‘The induction so far has been top notch, compared to my previous employers who threw me in at the deep end.’ The managers interim have notified Ofsted about matters affecting the safety and well-being of young people as they have arisen. This has enabled the regulator to oversee what action has been taken as a result.

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What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against ‘Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection’.

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What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of children looked after is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place, however, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

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What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the Children's

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Information about this inspection

Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’. the guidance ‘Raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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